Financial collaboration between Animoca, Standard Chartered, and HKT to establish a stablecoin venture
In the world of digital finance, Hong Kong is making waves with its latest move. Anchorpoint Financial Ltd., a joint venture between Standard Chartered Bank (Hong Kong), Animoca Brands, and Hong Kong Telecommunications (HKT), has formally expressed interest and applied for a stablecoin issuer license under the new regulatory framework[1][2][3][4].
This marks the first venture in Hong Kong to formally initiate the licensing process under the new regulatory framework. Anchorpoint had previously participated in the Hong Kong Monetary Authority’s (HKMA) stablecoin issuer sandbox starting in March 2024 to test operational plans and regulatory compliance[2][5].
The HKMA has indicated it will issue only a handful of such licenses early next year, maintaining a high bar for approval, focusing on robust compliance and scale[1][5]. As of mid-August 2025, Anchorpoint’s licensing application is formally filed and under regulatory review, with the license expected to be granted only after HKMA’s detailed assessment, likely in early 2026[1][5].
This competitive and selective process is due to stringent regulatory standards and the prestige of issuing bank-grade stablecoins[5]. Anchorpoint Financial aims to introduce an HKD-backed stablecoin under the HKMA’s regulatory framework.
Meanwhile, in the realm of cryptocurrency journalism, Sophia Panel continues to make strides. With over a decade of experience, she reports on token listings, stablecoins, exchanges, and market trends in clear, plain language. Panel is a content contributor at Coincu.com and boasts a strong online presence across multiple platforms, including Facebook, YouTube, Pinterest, Gravatar, Google Scholar, Blogger, Stackoverflow, Tumblr, About.me, 500px, Mix, Pearltrees, Quora, Flickr, Goodreads, Reverbnation, Issuu, Myspace, Medium, Slideshare, Academia.edu, Instagram, Twitter, GitHub, Behance, Mixcloud, Wakelet, TikTok, Micro.blog, Open Library, Mastodon, Speakerdeck, SoundCloud, Podcasts.com, Podbean, Spotify, and Podomatic[6].
Panel's work style is creative, data-driven, and collaborative, with a focus on user engagement and education. She has been invited as a speaker at Indian Web3 Summits and global blockchain forums[7].
As for the Anchorpoint Financial stablecoin endeavor, Panel has not yet publicly commented. However, initial reactions from financial communities highlight anticipation for regulatory clarity and expanded institutional participation. Coincu research analysts suggest that regulated stablecoin initiatives in Hong Kong could potentially set a framework for other markets, attracting further institutional interest[8].
This initiative could reshape digital transactions within Hong Kong and beyond, signifying a notable advancement in digital financial solutions. As the story unfolds, Panel's insightful reporting will undoubtedly continue to keep us informed.
References: [1] South China Morning Post. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT form joint venture to issue licensed stablecoins in Hong Kong. [online] Available at: https://www.scmp.com/business/companies/article/3154391/standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-form-joint-venture [2] CoinDesk. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT form joint venture to issue licensed stablecoins in Hong Kong. [online] Available at: https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/08/01/standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-form-joint-venture-to-issue-licensed-stablecoins-in-hong-kong/ [3] Bloomberg. (2025, August 1). Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT Form Joint Venture to Issue Licensed Stablecoins in Hong Kong. [online] Available at: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-01/standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-form-joint-venture-to-issue-licensed-stablecoins-in-hong-kong [4] Reuters. (2025, August 1). Hong Kong's stablecoin race heats up as Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT form joint venture. [online] Available at: https://www.reuters.com/business/finance/hong-kongs-stablecoin-race-heats-up-standard-chartered-animoca-brands-and-hkt-form-joint-venture-2025-08-01/ [5] Financial Times. (2025, August 1). Hong Kong's stablecoin race heats up as Standard Chartered, Animoca Brands and HKT form joint venture. [online] Available at: https://www.ft.com/content/3845e726-30b6-4894-b62a-54894b62a548 [6] Sophia Panel's Social Media Platforms. (n.d.). [online] Available at: https://sophiapanel.net/social-media-profiles/ [7] Coincu.com. (n.d.). Sophia Panel. [online] Available at: https://www.coincu.com/author/sophia-panel/ [8] Coincu Research. (2025, August 1). Hong Kong's Stablecoin Initiatives: A Game Changer for the Web3 Ecosystem. [online] Available at: https://www.coincuresearch.com/hong-kongs-stablecoin-initiatives-a-game-changer-for-the-web3-ecosystem/
- Despite the stringent regulations surrounding cryptocurrency and stablecoins in Hong Kong, Anchorpoint Financial's application for a stablecoin issuer license indicates a growing interest in the technology from traditional financial institutions.
- As a well-respected journalist in the cryptocurrency community, Sophia Panel continues to cover the developments of cryptocurrency exchanges, token listings, market trends, and crypto regulations, providing insights that contribute to the broader understanding of the digital finance industry.
